Martin Lydon, Director of Services informed Members that a decision is to be made today in relation to the rate of Local Property Tax for 2021 and outlined the following:

·         Timeframes for decision making culminating in Plenary Budget meeting in November.

·         Large amount of uncertainty due to both Covid-19 and Brexit.

·         Roscommon County Council, in partnership with Elected Members, will continue to practice prudent budgeting.

·         Aim is to maintain funding for regeneration projects, Town Teams funding, amenity grants and match funding for smaller projects.

·         Rates Waiver will not meet full loss of Rates income.

·         Deficit predicted for 2020 due to Covid-19, loss of income and increased expenditure.

·         Maintaining LPT at 2020 rate will deliver €609,000 and will still result in funding gap of €468,000.

·         Reduction in LPT will mean shortfall of over €1,000,000 and an inability to match fund projects, maintain grant levels and a loss of funding to the county to stimulate growth.

·         7% of businesses unlikely to re-open in 2021 resulting in a loss of approximately €500,000.

·         Investment by Roscommon County Council in the county results in stimulus for the economy of the county.

·         Baseline allocation €10.2 million and we still receive €7 million from the Equalization fund.

·         One submission seeking reduction of LPT and exemption for protected structures.

·         Aiming to maintain frontline public services such as Roscommon Leisure Centre that needs an additional €100,000 in 2021 to keep it open.

He stated that the Chief Executive’s recommendation is to maintain LPT at the 2020 level, that means no change to the charge to citizens in 2021. This provides €255,00 for match funding, €150,000 for street cleaning, €120,000 for local roads, €50,000 for upkeep of parks and €34,00 to support Tidy Towns groups. He stated that if the increase is not agreed all of those items cannot be funded.

The Chief Executive’s recommendation is to maintain LPT at 2020 levels.

Cllr. Cummins proposed that Local Property Tax rate remains at the 2020 rate.

Cllr. Naughten seconded the proposal.

Cllr Tony Ward stated that 2020 has been an unusual year, that Roscommon County Council is always short of money and has been denied up to €100m for Roads alone from central funds. He stated that the Council has always been 100% prudent in its financial affairs and is genuine in relation to the €600k needed to balance the budget but more funding from central Government must be forthcoming.

Cllr. Tony Ward proposed that the Local Property Tax rate for 2021 revert to the baseline rate.

Cllr. Anthony Waldron seconded the proposal.

Cllr John Cummins stated that the Council would be in a grave position if LPT is left at the baseline rate with a deficit of over €1m to be found as outlined by the Director of Services, with a risk to grants, funds for Town Teams and other funding streams. He stated that the public want to see grants maintained, swimming pools operating, and amenities and graveyards maintained. He stated that 57% of the general public pay approximately  ...  view the full minutes text for item 97